The "Half Black" wolf (former Druid) is dead
2-12-2004
The body of a wolf matching the description of the well known Druid female nicknamed the "half black" female was found by a skier in the first meadow of Slough Creek on Jan. 31. This wolf was never radio collared, but she was seen so often that many wolf watchers could readily identify her and a number of photos of her exist. Upon her death, she was belatedly given the number 386F.
This winter as last, she dispersed from the Druids during mating season and last seen mating with a member of the Slough Creek Pack. According to Yellowstone Park wolf team member Dan Stahler, the most likely explanation is that she followed the male further up into Slough Creek and ran into the Slough Creek Pack. She was probably killed about the same day as famous 42F was killed 5 or 6 miles to the south.
Stahler cautioned that due to the lack of a radio collar they could not say with 100 per cent certainty that the dead wolf was the "half black."
The Slough Creek Pack seems to be an aggressive pack, although this opinion is mostly circumstantial. At any rate 255F and the "U Black" who is still in the area with Mollie's wolf 194M would seem to be in danger from this brawny 13 member pack, which has a lot adult, veteran wolves.
The half black was about 3 years old. During 2003 she developed a bad limp which turned out to be permanent.
In other news, veteran wolf watcher Tonya Matthews reported today that dispersed Druid 255F who has been seen with a number of male wolvesis currently with a big Slough Creek male 378M and an uncollared male in "Little America."
Another possible dispersal is the Druid beta male 253M, the famous wolf who went to Utah. According to Matthews he left the pack after 21M was especially aggressive to him while 21M was showing interest in his new mate 286F. 253M was last seen north of the road near Blacktail Ponds, a dangerous place because it is in Leopold Pack territory. Rick McIntrye told me that this dispersal was not certain -- 253M has traveled this way before and returned, although one time he certainly didn't return and ended up near Morgan, Utah. Mike Jimenez gave him a truck ride back to the Greater Yellowstone.
Meanwhile gray Druid 396F, who is a yearling or perhaps a 2-year old, has returned to the pack. Nevertheless, the Druid Pack at present is just one old male (21M), 2 prime females, and 9 pups.
Copyright © 2004 Ralph Maughan
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